How To Make Bust Skull Decor for Halloween

Written byMichelle Dickson Updated

Craft an impressive bust skull decor that’s sure to be a hit, with just a few simple supplies you can create a chilling centerpiece that will leave your guests in awe.

Have you wondered how to make Halloween decorations around the house? More specifically how to decorate a skull for Halloween?

The entire theme for decorating our home for Halloween this year revolves around skeletons. We’ve created some pretty fun pieces of skeleton decor this year. From our DIY skeleton silhouettes for our family portraits, to easy DIY dollar tree skull napkin rings for your Halloween party.

We’ve even invited you to join us while we decorated our homes for Halloween so you have behind the scenes access to our decorating process. Mine of course is themed around skeletons. Mymom’s home is all about Bats!

Today we wanted to share one last DIY Halloween decor idea with you, How To Make Bust Skull Decor.

For more DIY Halloween decor ideas see 60 Spooky and Creative Halloween Decor Ideas.

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Inspiration for Skull Decor

Skull decor inspiration with a price tag of $100.

While my Mom and I were out picking up the last few decor pieces for Ellie’s bedroom makeover, we spotted these amazing skeleton busts! I immediately fell in love with them, but at $50 each I wasn’t about to take them home with me!

I almost took it as a challenge. How could I recreate these or make a copycat version to display in our home at a fraction of the cost?

Follow along as we share how you can recreate this awesome skull decor for Halloween this year for only $15! That’s a SAVINGS of 85%! CHA CHING! Money kept in my wallet!

Realistic Skull Decor with Paint

BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER OF THE 3 SKULLS with painting effect.

The first thing you’ll need to do is source out some skulls. I found these at Dollar Tree. So for $1 each you can’t beat that!

Here’s a look at the before, during and after process of distressing the skull decor.

This process is completely optional depending on the look you’re going for. We just love how the paint really accentuates all of the details on the skulls by distressing them.

APPLY 2 COATS OF WHITE CHALK PAINT TO PLASTIC SKULLS
APPLY WATERED DOWN GRAY PAINT TO WHITE PAINTED SKULL DECOR
WOMAN WIPES OFF EXCESS GRAY PAINT.

First apply 2 coats of white chalk paint to each skull.

We used Behr Chalk Paint that we had on hand from previous projects. But you can also get chalk paint in a spray can if you prefer that method to brushing.

Once the skull decor has completely dried, mix a dark gray paint with a good amount of water and mix well. The consistency should be pretty runny.

Use a small paint brush to apply the dark gray paint mixture over the entire surface of the skull. Then using a wet washcloth, wipe all of the excess paint off.

This will allow the darker paint to remain in all of the detailed areas of the skull decor creating more depth and dimension.

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The Neck Piece

A woman use a kitchen knife to cut the neck piece to size.

We’re big at using things we already have around the home. This neck piece came in a bag of bones I’ve had for years.

Being plastic I was able to cut it in half with a kitchen knife.

WOMAN DRILLS HOLE IN BOTTOM OF THE SKULL FOR THE NECK PIECE TO FIT INSIDE.
WOMAN CUTS OPENING IN SKULL TO FIT NECK PIECE

Next, a hole will need to be drilled in the bottom of each skull large enough for the neck piece.

I used a 1 1/4″ wood bit to drill each hole.

If you don’t have access to these tools, you can also use a pair of scissors. I did need to use the scissors to make the hole a little bit bigger to fit the neck piece inside.

WOMAN GLUES THE NECK PIECE INTO THE SKULL PIECE

Fit the neck piece inside the hole and attach with hot glue.

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Attach to Bust

WOMAN PULLS VELVET BACK FROM TOP OF JEWELRY BUST TO DRILL HOLE FOR THE NECK PIECE.
WOMAN DRILLS HOLE IN THE TOP PART OF THE JEWELRY BUST.
Hole drilled in the top of the jewelry bust.

I found these jewelry busts at Hobby Lobby for about $7 a piece. (I also used a 40% off coupon on one, why not save a bit right?)

To make a hole in the top of the jewelry bust for the neck piece, pull back the velvet covering. Then use the drill to make the hole.

These are made out of cardboard, but it took some effort making this hole. You’ll definitely need the drill for this part!

Then use a pair of scissors to cut a hole in the velvet. Secure back into place with a hot glue gun.

Insert the neck piece and secure into place with hot glue.

Embellish Female Skull Decor

Glue the choker onto the female skeleton.

You can embellish your skull decor any way that you’d like.

I wanted to mimic the Victorian style of my inspiration piece.

First I added a pearl gem onto a piece of black stretchy ribbon with hot glue.

(The gems are from Totally Dazzled. We’ve used these gems on SO many other DIY projects and love them! You can see our other projects here.)

APPLY FEATHERS TO THE HEADBAND ON THE SKULL.

I used the same ribbon to make a headband for the female. Then I embellished it with some plum colored feathers.

WOMAN FITS FABRIC TO BUST FOR THE SKULL DECOR
WOMAN ATTACHES THE FABRIC TO THE JEWELRY BUST WITH HOT GLUE.

To create the dress, I found scrap fabric from my wedding dress in my Mom’s stash of scraps! It creates the perfect touch for the Victorian feel.

The fabric was secured around the top edges of the jewelry bust with hot glue.

Trim excess fabric at the bottom to fold under the jewelry bust and secure with hot glue.

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Embellish Male Skull Decor

Thrift store white dress shirt size 2T and a neck tie for male skull decor.

The male skull decor was embellished with a white collared shirt and necktie from the thrift store.

The shirt is size 2T and fit perfectly around the jewelry bust!

Woman cuts the color off the shirt.

Use fabric scissors to trim the collar away from the rest of the shirt. Place it around the jewelry bust and button closed.

WOMAN CUTS NECK TIE FOR SKULL DECOR
WOMAN FOLDS NECKTIE IN HALF TO TRIM WITH A V POINT.
WOMAN HOT GLUES RAW EDGES TOWARD INSIDE OF NECK TIE.

To create the ascot, cut about 7″ off the bottom of the necktie. Then cut another piece from the longer part of the necktie between 5″-6″.

At the wider part of the 5″-6″ piece, fold in half and cut on a diagonal to create a V point.

Fold the raw edges back about 1/4″ and secure down with hot glue.

WOMAN GLUES PLEATS ON THE ASCOT FOR THE MALE SKULL.
WOMAN ATTACHES THE ASCOT WITH HOT GLUE
TOTALLY DAZZLED GEM FOR SKELETON BUSTS ASCOT

Make pleats on the top edges of both cut pieces of the necktie and secure with hot glue.

Line the smaller piece along the top edge of the larger piece and secure them together with hot glue.

Secure the ascot onto the collar with hot glue.

Embellish the ascot with another gem from Totally Dazzled with hot glue.

Make Top Hat

WOMAN TRACES CYLINDER ONTO BLACK CARDSTOCK.
WOMAN TRACE ANOTHER CIRCLE ABOUT 1" larger than the previous circle.

To complete the male skull decor, embellish with a top hat.

Instead of spending the time hunting for a small top hat, I decided to create my own.

I found a small paper bucket at the thrift store and painted it black.

Once dried, I traced the bucket onto a piece of black card stock. Draw another circle about 1″ larger around the traced pattern.

Woman cuts a small opening in the center of the circle.
Woman makes small slits with scissors up to the smallest circle drawn.

Cut the outer circle to create the rim of the top hat.

Then cut a small hole in the center of the paper.

Cut slits about every 1/4″ or so around the inner edges up to the traced pencil line.

Fold the slit pieces of paper toward the pencil mark.

This will allow you to fold the rim of the hat inside the bucket and glue into place.

To embellish the top hat, I secured a strip of rhinestone mesh ribbon from Totally Dazzled around the rim of the hat with hot glue.

Copycat Skull Decor

STYLED SKULL DECOR BUSTS ON FIREPLACE MANTEL

Don’t they look spooktacular?!

Loving the way they turned out!

I know they don’t look exactly the same as my inspiration piece, but that’s whats fun about making your own, you can make them any way you want!

And I’d much rather create new Halloween decor for $15 rather than spend $100 on prefab skull decor!

We hope you found some inspiration for your Halloween decorating today.

Would you like to make these copycat bust skull decor for your Halloween decor this year?

How will you embellish yours?

What style will they be?

Please share your tips and ideas with us.

For more DIY Halloween decor check out these ideas:

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Pinterest image, bust skull decor styled on the mantle.

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This blog’s content is for entertainment purposes only and is not professional advice. By reading this blog and attempting to recreate a project, you assume all responsibility for any injuries or damages incurred. Read my full disclaimer here.

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I have always had a passion for transforming spaces and creating organized, functional homes. Even as a child, I loved rearranging furniture and decorating my childhood home. In fact my dad would comment he was afraid to come home from work and sit, for fear the furniture would be rearranged. I enjoy the challenge of turning ordinary items into extraordinary pieces, whether it’s a piece of furniture or an entire room. My creativity and attention to detail drive me to find unique ways to breathe new life into any space.

As a wife (to a supportive and patient husband, Steve), mother of three, and grandmother of five, I balance my love for home improvement with family life. I enjoy spending time outdoors, hiking, and exploring nature. I also frequent yard sales, thrift stores, and vintage markets, always on the lookout for my next project.

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